Zimbabwe: Elections (Hansard, 22 June 2000)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)
My Lords, we have been in regular contact with the UN over a period of months with regard to the elections in Zimbabwe. We are dismayed that the Government of Zimbabwe have not allowed the United Nations Development Programme to co-ordinate the activities of the various observer missions, a role that UNDP does well. However, we understand that a good degree of informal co-ordination takes place between the observer teams and we look forward to hearing the results of their endeavours.

§ Lord Howell of Guildford
My Lords, given the very unsatisfactory situation which the noble Baroness describes, can she tell us a little about what the Government believe will develop after the weekend? Is not the problem that, if Mugabe wins, he will have done so by thuggery, rigging, deceit and brutal murder? If the courageous MDC wins, nevertheless he will be president and there is a real danger of colossal violence. Can she tell us what the Government's policy will be next week when it will be vitally important to ensure that the whole international community moves in to support the forces of law and prevents this fine country descending still further into darkness and despair?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, although I endorse the concerns expressed by the noble Lord about the dire position in Zimbabwe, it is of the utmost importance that we await the outcome of the elections and also the outcome of the reports from the observers 428 who are on the ground. They will be able to provide the best intelligence about how the elections have proceeded. It would be premature to say anything at this stage about what we plan after the elections.

§ Lord Marsh
My Lords—

§ Lord Avebury
My Lords—

§ The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)
My Lords, I believe that there is plenty of time for both the noble Lords, Lord Avebury and Lord Marsh. I believe that I heard a request for the noble Lord, Lord Marsh, to speak first.

§ Lord Marsh
My Lords, I express gratitude to my sponsors. Can the Minister conceive of any circumstances in which the outcome of the election could be regarded as the process of a democratic free election? Does she not consider there to be a very real danger that at the end of this phoney exercise all that the observers will have been able to provide is a cloak of respectability for a ruler who does not deserve it?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, the most important matter is to know the outcome of the election. I do not like to speculate, but if we were to find that the opposition was successful and that, notwithstanding the appalling situation in Zimbabwe, the turnout meant that Mr Mugabe was no longer in power, very few people would say that the election should not have some cogency and be given recognition. Therefore, I believe that we must stand ready to make an accurate and clear-sighted assessment. We know the extent to which people have suffered in the interim. That will probably influence our judgment when we come to decide what to make of the elections once they are completed.

§ Lord Avebury
My Lords, can the Minister confirm that a consortium of local NGOs has been formed to monitor not only the elections but the observation or otherwise of freedom of expression and of assembly during the run-up period? As the international community has not been able to monitor the election satisfactorily, will the Government discuss with the United Nations the advantages of disseminating the report which will be produced by that local consortium and which will be of greater interest in view of the difficulties experienced by the United Nations?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, I am quite confident that all parties will want to garner as much information as possible about what has occurred on the ground during the elections. Therefore, I am relatively confident in saying that we shall look with great interest at the intelligence that has been garnered by the non-governmental organisations.

Baroness Young
My Lords, can the noble Baroness tell us whether the Government are in close discussion 429 with other members of the Commonwealth, particularly African countries, about what might be done in the light of the outcome of this election?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, much vigorous debate has taken place with various members of the Commonwealth. Many members have taken an intimate interest in what is happening. As noble Lords already know, the UN has a presence there. Therefore, I can reassure the noble Baroness that we are very open to working with our partners—the Commonwealth, in particular—and they have all expressed a keen interest in what is occurring in Zimbabwe.

Lord Acton
My Lords, I have many relatives and masses of friends in Zimbabwe. Following on from the question of the noble Lord, Lord Marsh, does the Minister believe that the presence of the international observers has probably done something to reduce the violence slightly?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, we certainly hope so. We also hope that the presence of the international observers will give courage to the people of Zimbabwe so that they will at least attempt to register their view on how their country should properly be managed.

§ Baroness Park of Monmouth
President Mbeki was present at the summit in Feira, where there was a meeting on Africa. What did the Government and the other European Union powers do to persuade him to take more positive action than he has done so far, given the awful effects for South Africa as well as for Zimbabwe of the Mugabe policies?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, I cannot give the noble Baroness specific details, but I can reassure her that discussions about Zimbabwe have exercised the minds of all those who are aware of the election. We are very much in the forefront on that. I am sure that South Africa will be intimately interested in the outcome of the election in Zimbabwe.